As Sharks prepare for Oilers, Boyle talks about those trade rumors: ‘I don’t like hearing that stuff’

EDMONTON, Alberta – Dan Boyle’s name continues to show up in reputable sources of NHL trade rumors and this morning he acknowledged there’s no way you can not be aware of what’s circulating out there – and his unhappiness about that.

“I’ve got friends texting me and emailing,” Boyle said. “I do the best I can to keep it out, but I don’t like hearing that stuff.”

Later he added: “A lot of guys will say I don’t listen to that stuff, but the truth is, it does find its way inside.”

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Boyle reportedly has a limited no-trade clause in his contract, one that gives him some control over where he might end up. And even though those rumors – the latest from Pierre LeBrun at ESPN suggests the New York Rangers are interested — show other teams may find Boyle an attractive add for a playoff push, he still doesn’t like any of it.

“This is where I want to be,” he said of the Sharks. “I don’t want to be anywhere else. . . . it’s not fun to hear it. The only other time my name was involved was five or six years ago (when he ended up coming to San Jose) so sometimes where there’s smoke there’s fire. I hope there’s not in this case, but it’s hard not to pay attention.”

In truth, Boyle’s name also came up during the off-season, linked again to the Rangers. That, of course, did not come to pass.

Without referring to Boyle specifically, this was Todd McLellan’s answer to a question on what impact trade rumors might be having on his team at the moment.

“The people that are being talked about are very mature athletes that have been in the league for a long time and some of them have been moved and traded in the past,” the coach said. “But when you come and you put the helmet on and the gloves on, tighten up the skates and go out there and play, you can leave all of that stuff behind and get out and perform. The better we perform, the better chances are of us having success and staying together. It’s entirely up to them. I don’t think we can use that speculation as an excuse for wins and losses at this point.”

****The Oilers and Sharks enter tonight’s game separated by a mere two points and have played the same number of games. But while San Jose has but one win in its last seven games, Edmonton is on a 3-0-1 roll.

Don’t think that has gone unnoticed.

“They’re a team that’s similar to where we were a couple weeks ago,” said Oiler captain Shawn Horcoff, whose return from an injury coincided with this current run. “They’re a team that’s trying to turn things around and make their own push. We’re a team that’s made that push and trying to sustain that.”

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The Oilers haven’t forgotten that the Sharks ruined Edmonton’s home opener with a six-goal first period, or that the Sharks won a shootout in San Jose as the final victory in that 7-0-0 start. Since then, though, things have changed.

****Look for the Sharks to make only one change in the lineup that dropped a 5-3 decision in Anaheim on Monday night as Michal Handzus did not take part in line rushes this morning and Andrew Desjardins did. Handzus took a hard hit from Ducks forward Matt Beleskey in the last game, but McLellan indicated that while Handzus was banged up, he was still OK. Handzus has struggled, but hasn’t missed a game yet this season.

Here’s how the lines looked at the skate: Marleau-Thornton-Burns, Pavelski-Couture-Havlat, Galiardi-Gomez-Wingels and Sheppard-Desjardins-Burish.

On defense, it looks as if Justin Braun will miss a second consecutive game as the pairings were Boyle-Irwin, Vlasic-Demers, Stuart-Murray. And Antti Niemi will be back in goal.

Injured forward Ryane Clowe skated after other players had left as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Tim Kennedy remains on IR with an upper body injury, but is on the trip while Thomas Greiss remains in San Jose.

****Marty Havlat’s return to action after missing seven games earned praise from McLellan, who had cautioned that the talented forward needed to be able to adjust to the tight way the game is being played this season in the Western Conference.

“I thought Marty had an impact on the game,” McLellan said. “He had the puck a lot, he shot it, he skated better than he had in the past so injury-wise he’s overcome it. Now he needs to bring that every day.

Whiile noting that it was only one game, McLellan said Havlat “went to holes, he handled the puck well, the puck was on his tape longer than usual. He made some shooting attempts on net from prime scoring areas so, yes, he made strides.”

Havlat said his first game since Feb. 28 “felt better than I thought I would feel. That was positive, but we lost the game.”

“The legs, the game speed and the timing — those are the three most important things when you go back,” he said, “But I’ve been there before. I know what to expect.”

We’ll make that the understatement of the day.

****Marc-Edouard Vlasic will be playing in his 500th game tonight, all of them with the Sharks who found a spot for him on their roster without any time in the minors after taking him 38th overall in the 2005 draft. Only Anze Kopitar of the Kings has more games (503) than Vlasic in that entire draft class.

And a reminder that the Sharks took Vlasic with the 2nd-round pick from Calgary received for goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff.

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

JSJ, Add Jumbo and Boyle to that list of where would this team be without….. And Nemo, who needs a game off occasionally.

Johnny San Jose

BLR — couldn’t agree more.

ZEKE

The organization does have to make some choices. Is this the end of the line for our core group, or can it get turned around.

To me, the phrase ‘blow it up’ is meaningless. Lots of teams have ‘blown it up’ and have never been able to build it back up.

Further, if mgmt quits on this year’s team when its at the fringe of the playoffs, the players will realize that mgmt isn’t interested in a postseason. Which is a really bad message to send, at any time other when the team is really out of it.

In short, its not an easy call to make in mid-season, especially a shortened season like this one.

I think I’d rather take my chances rather than give up on Boyle, et al. His value (and others) may even go up in the summer compared to right now.

Teejay

Appears that Boyler wants to stay in SJ. In reflecting on TMac’s words, yes, Boyle should go out there and play like he wants to stay here. After all, Stuart is playing like he wants to stay here.

Teejay

I do hope that is Boyle is traded that DW gets something in return. DW has an awful track record of giving away talent only to get nothing in return.

Agent861

I say we keep Boyle til he retires. He’s a proven leader, a guy young guys can look up to, he’s solid, he’s still pretty quick and he can stay on his feet when shit gets heavy. Players we should look at trading are Doug Murray (as much as I hate it), Ryane Clowe (again hate it, but he’s completely lost focus and is playing 4th line goon hockey. Get him out while there’s value.), Havlat is a definite trade, he can’t stay on the ice and he never puts up consistent numbers all while having a higher trade value than he’s earned. After hearing Philly got back Gagne I honestly thought about him as a trade option. He’s about the same age as Murray, and Philly needs defense. We need to deal outta defense for guys who can put the puck in the net. Never should’ve done that Burns/Havlat for Seto/Healey trade. Burns is a solid player but what we ended up getting was Defense we didn’t need and losing scoring we desperately do.

Agent861

The other thing about Boyle is that his cap is big. So if he stays til he retires that’s completely open large cap space.

Old Time Hockey Fan

Do any of you idiots know anything about hockey??
Do any of you morons know hockey talent when you see it??
Why are the Sharks in the position they are in right now???
A HUGE part is the severe case of Mike Rathje-itis that has plagued the back end since game one. Turnover, after turnover, can’t even clear the zone….puck ends up in our net.
Who is the one guy on the blue line we can count on to advance/ stick handle/ beat a forecheck/ beat someone one-on-one???
Dan Boyle…..
Why would we move him??
Dare I say—tonight is a MUST WIN???

Sharkz

Boyle has more passion than any other 5 guys on the team combined. He’s the only capable defenseman running the power play with speed and movement. He’s our top scoring defenseman. Yep, I’d say he’s gone.

Seriously I understand the rationale for trading Boyle. But in my opinion it means the Sharks are giving up on the current season – not necessarily a bad thing. First to market might land us some good prospects.

Matthew

Thank you OTHF #58… Exactly.

slickshark

Hedican, “Dan Boyle is part of the solution not the Problem”.

cirque du clowe-a

Oldl time hockey fan.

I would tone it down a bit with the name calling. Otherwise DP will strike those who break the respect rule.

What’s done is done, can’t change it now. Try looking forward, or is that to hard to do while shaking your head?

MLBSF

Johnny San Jose says:
March 20th, 2013 at 5:56 pm

Marleau is a good player. As you always say about Little Logan the same holds true for Marleau, “where would this team be without him”?
——

Well Johnny,

Marleau has talent. But he disappears when we need him most. Case closed.

Where would this team be without him? Maybe a Stanley Cup champion.

Because if Marleau wasn’t here, we would be spending that staggering amount of salary on another scorer….and the odds are that person would play with the kind of passion that lifts a team to a Cup ceremony.

Face it, Marleau has failed to lead the Sharks to even one single Stanley Cup final. And he gets paid to do that. And it hasn’t happened. Not once.

MLBSF

Beer League Rocks says:
March 20th, 2013 at 6:53 pm

What’s done is done, can’t change it now. Try looking forward, or is that to hard to do while shaking your head?
+++++

Well BLR,

That sounds like a publicity department talking point. That’s what the Sharks organization wants the fans to do so they don’t dwell on all of Wilson’s bad moves and possibly decide not to buy tickets.

And just as I type this. Already 1-0 Edmonton

smh

Sharx

Ouch, nice shot with a screen. Again, Niemi had no chance…

ZEKE

its nice to ice that doesn’t slow the puck down so much. Though as fast as it is — and the EDM is — 4 on 4 is isn’t an advantage for us!!

ZEKE

nice to see scoring from the second line — Marleau got one last game playing on the second line, second line got one this game.

Sharx

Good Shark goal (just saw the replay) Got a bit of a break with a pretty slow whistle, I thought Dubnyk had it under his pads. But we will take it.

Sharx

Oh great another opportunity for Drew to whine about the officiating….

Alex

You think Havlat used a magic word there?

Sharx

Don’t hear Drew whining about that no call on the cross check there, wait that is because it was an Oiler being hit. Drew needs to be replaced next season, completely lost his objectivity. Hedican or Brazil maybe?

Clowe to Boston for Boychuk or McQuid….we need someone who makes it scary to be near our goal. Thorton and Boyle to Rangers for Callahan and Richards…Yes, I know, Callahan’s the captain there, but Joe is here, and the Rangers need a second line center. They get an immediate shot at the cup, a guy for Nash to play with, and the defenseman they want. We get leadership and grit, as well as some scoring. Money’s probably in the same ballpark, I’d guess.

Then how about Murray to Philly for some youth or a draft pick…buy out Havlat at the end of the season, or trade him to Carolina for some youth…

Sharx

Wow, what a horrid break, the puck leaves the zone just as the guy is coming out of the box and it turns in to an odd man break. 2-1 Oilers

Sharx

Biggest problem I can see in this game is 12 SOG in almost two periods of play. That is not going to get it done most nights…..

MLBSF

Watching this Sharks’ offense is like watching paint dry…..which I realize is a huge insult to paint comparing the Sharks’ offense to it.

spooky

average effort
overpassed power play
seems this is how another loss is beign born. there is always some luck to opponent. thats how it feels when somebody lost its play.

Alex

West vs West or East vs East SC Finals will be possible starting from next season? Wow, that’s pretty cool!

Sharx

Wow, what happened to Ryan Smythe? The guy is a ghost of the player he used to be.

Sharx

Sorry, no “E” Smyth…

Alex

This is simply pathetic.

Matthew

Irwin gets crushed defensively. Nice shooter but has misplayed about 3 of the last four goals against

Sharx

Need to score one on this PP. Side note: This commercial is hilarious.

TheLearnedOne

Now, it is so apparent the Sharks are such a BAD team. I think DW can now finally see what a MESS this team is. I can see TMac thinking to himself that he will be sacrificed by his boss. Then the boss himself will be thrown to the dogs after the season. Sad, sad team.

Snow Shovel

Goal #3 was a terrible brain freeze by Nemo on that wrap around! He wasn’t holding the post. In fact he wasn’t down on one leg. he was just standing there like a spectator. Not really paying attention. Jeeeez.

jack

Team needs to be totally rebuilt. Must get younger and faster. Big, old and slow doesn’t win anymore. Sharks are headed for the basement…..take that to the bank.

Cirque-Du-Clowe-a

Looks like another loss to me. Drew put a sock in it homer!

Sharx

Got the PP now Couture ties it with the hat trick. Yes, I still believe.

Sharx

There you go! Take advantage of their giveaways/our takeaways…

Now, Couture WINS the game with the hattie……

Alex

How about that!

Sharx

Irwin will be fine, he can learn better defense, but that shot is a gift, you can’t teach that.

Sharx

Yay! The loser point is ours. How about an OT win with Couture getting the hat trick?

MLBSF

OMG why does it sound like Sharx is trying to steal Logan from me.

smh

Sharx

When WAS the last time the Sharks got a hat trick anyway? Maybe Marleau?

Sharx

Ducks with the EN goal. 4-2 they beat the Hawks.

Snow Shovel

Wow! So, this is what a win feels like!

ZEKE

What a win!!! Come back from down 2 in regulation, then down 1 in the shootout